Multi-axial spinal cross-connectors
A multi-axial spinal cross-connector is configured for connection between spinal fixation devices such as spinal fixation rods. The cross-connector has first and second connection members that are joinable at a fixable pivot junction. The pivot junction allows the connection members to assume various positions relative to one another. A clamp is provided on each end of the first and second connection members whose open and closed states are controlled by fixation of a pivot structure which also fixates the positions of the first and second connection members relative to each other. The cross-connector provides single and/or multi-step locking of both end clamps at the pivot joint. The cross-connector also provides easy in situ sizing, positioning and adjustability.
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This patent application claims the benefit of and/or priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/849,230 filed Oct. 4, 2006, entitled “Multi-Axial Spinal Cross-Connectors” the entire contents of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to spinal fixation devices and, in particular, to cross-connectors for connecting spinal fixation devices, such as spinal rods that are attached onto a patient's spine.
2. Background Information
There are many medical situations, because of disease, injury or deformity, where it is necessary to align and/or fix a desired relationship between adjacent vertebral bodies. In order to accomplish this goal, orthopedic spinal surgeons utilize spinal fixation devices to provide the desired relationship between adjacent vertebral bodies. Such spinal fixation devices typically include a spinal fixation element, such as a relatively rigid fixation rod, that is connected to adjacent vertebrae by attaching the rod to anchor devices implanted into the vertebrae.
Often, the spinal fixation rods are placed on opposite sides of the spinous process in a substantially parallel relationship. These spinal fixation rods may have pre-determined contours according to properties of the target implantation site. Once installed, the spinal fixation rods hold the vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship.
It may also be necessary in some circumstances to provide a spinal cross-connector at one or more points between the two spinal fixation rods in order to provide additional stability to the structure. Particularly, adjacent spinal fixation rod assemblies can be made more robust by using a cross-connector to bridge the pair of spinal rods.
While current spinal cross-connectors are effective, problems exist such as in mounting and maintaining the cross-connectors in a desired position and orientation with respect to the spinal rods. Other problems also exist with current cross-connectors such as sizing and locking issues.
Accordingly, there presently exists a need for an improved spinal cross-connector that can be easily installed and that securely mates and connects to spinal fixation devices such as spinal rods.
Accordingly, there also presently exists a need to provide an improved spinal rod connector that allows for both x-axis translation and x-axis rotation for coupling to adjacent spinal rods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides multi-axial spinal cross-connectors that are configured for connection between spinal fixation devices such as spinal fixation rods. The cross-connectors have first and second connection members that are joinable at a fixable pivot junction. The pivot junction allows the connection members to assume various positions relative to one another. A clamp is provided on each end of the first and second connection members whose open and closed states are controlled by fixation of the positions of the first and second connection members relative to each other.
The cross-connectors are formed of two links whose positions are adjustable relative to one another. The two links provide for rotation thereof in an X-X plane, and for linear translation thereof in an X-X axis. A central pivot is fixable to fix the positions of the links. Fixation structures for the central pivot allow the cross-connectors to be assembled, but unclamped so as to allow the cross-connectors to be situated onto adjacent spinal rods. Moreover, the fixation structures then allow the system to be clamped onto the spinal rods while still assembled.
The cross-connectors provide easily adjustable sizing between spinal rods. Moreover, the cross-connectors provide single and multi-step locking.
The above mentioned and other features, advantages and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures.
A detailed description of the features, functions and/or configuration of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non discussed features as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures. Other non discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONReferring to
The cross-connector 20 has a first connection member 26 and a second connection member 28 attached to one another at a pivot junction 30. The first connection member 26 includes a first clamping structure 32 on one end thereof for clamping onto a spinal rod (shown in
The first connection member 26 includes a first connection arm 40 and a first latch member 42. As best seen in
As best seen in
The second connection member 28 includes a second connection arm 44 and a second latch member 46. As best seen in
As best seen in
The first latch member 42 is pivotally connected to the first connection arm 40. The pivot bore 106 of the first latch member 42 is aligned with the pivot bore 64 of the first connection arm 40 and a pivot pin 156 is disposed therein. Likewise, the second latch member 46 is pivotally connected to the second connection arm 44. Therefore, the pivot bore 92 of the second latch member 46 is aligned with the pivot bore 82 of the second connection arm 44 and a pivot pin 156 is disposed therein.
The first connection arm 40 and the second connection arm 44 are adjustably coupled to one another at the pivot junction 30. This is accomplished via a set screw 36, retaining ring 134 and retaining nut 148. Particularly, and as best seen in
Referring briefly to
Referring briefly to
Referring briefly to
As discerned in
Referring back to
Particularly, pivoting of the first latch member 42 is controlled by a control arm 38. A control arm 38 is shown in
The head 118 of the control arm 38 is received onto the set screw 36 such that movement of the set screw 36 moves the control arm 38. As such, the control arm 38 is free to rotate and linearly translate. Moreover, when installed, the arm 116 of the control arm 38 abuts the arm 102 of the first latch member 42 to block upward pivoting thereof (see, e.g.
The second latch member 46 cooperates with the second connection arm 44 to define the releasable clamping structure 34. Particularly, the hook portion 72 of the second connection arm 44 forms and/or defines an upper spinal rod reception area 80 to be received onto a spinal rod, while the latch flange 94 of the second latch member 46 defines a movable jaw to clamp onto the spinal rod particularly such that the spinal rod is received into the contour 96 of the latch flange 94. Pivoting of the second latch member 46 relative to the second connection arm 44 opens and closes the jaws (hook portion 72 and latch flange 94) of the clamp structure 34 to release and clamp the spinal rod 22b. Pivoting of the second latch member 46 thus controls the state of clamping. Therefore, control of pivoting controls clamping state. Once clamped, if pivoting is barred, the clamp will not be unclamped. This is controlled in clamp structure 34 by interface with the arm 88 of the body 86 of the second latch member 46.
Particularly, pivoting of the second latch member 46 is fixed by the retaining ring 136 (see, e.g.
When assembled as depicted in the figures, the cross-connector is in a clamped position. Particularly, the clamps 32 and 34 are closed around the spinal rods 22a, 22b. Thus, fixing the position of the cross-connector fixes the clamping or puts the clamps in a clamped state.
Referring to
Referring to
The cross-connector 220 has a first connection member 226 and a second connection member 228 attached to one another at a pivot junction 230. The first connection member 226 includes a first clamping structure 232 on one end thereof for clamping onto a spinal rod (shown in
The first connection member 226 includes a first connection arm 240 and a first latch member 242. As best seen in
As best seen in
The second connection member 228 includes a second connection arm 244 and a second latch member 246. As best seen in
As best seen in
The first latch member 242 is pivotally connected to the first connection arm 240. The pivot bore 306 of the first latch member 242 is aligned with the pivot bore 264 of the first connection arm 240 and a pivot pin 356 is disposed therein. Likewise, the second latch member 246 is pivotally connected to the second connection arm 244. Therefore, the pivot bore 292 of the second latch member 246 is aligned with the pivot bore 282 of the second connection arm 244 and a pivot pin 356 is disposed therein.
The first connection arm 240 and the second connection arm 244 are adjustably coupled to one another at the pivot junction 230. This is accomplished via a set screw 236, retaining ring 334 and retaining nut 348. Particularly, and as best seen in
Referring briefly to
Referring briefly to
Referring briefly to
As discerned in
Referring back to
Particularly, pivoting of the first latch member 242 is controlled by a control arm 238. A control arm 238 is shown in
The head 318 of the control arm 238 is received onto the set screw 236 such that movement of the set screw 236 moves the control arm 238. As such, the control arm 238 is free to rotate and linearly translate. Moreover, when installed, the arm 316 of the control arm 238 abuts the arm 302 of the first latch member 242 to block upward pivoting thereof (see, e.g.
The second latch member 246 cooperates with the second connection arm 244 to define the releasable clamping structure 234. Particularly, the hook portion 272 of the second connection arm 244 forms and/or defines an upper spinal rod reception area 280 to be received onto a spinal rod, while the latch flange 294 of the second latch member 246 defines a movable jaw to clamp onto the spinal rod particularly such that the spinal rod is received into the contour 296 of the latch flange 294. Pivoting of the second latch member 246 relative to the second connection arm 244 opens and closes the jaws (hook portion 272 and latch flange 294) of the clamp structure 234 to release and clamp the spinal rod 222b. Pivoting of the second latch member 246 thus controls the state of clamping. Therefore, control of pivoting controls clamping state. Once clamped, if pivoting is barred, the clamp will not be unclamped. This is controlled in clamp structure 234 by interface with the arm 288 of the body 286 of the second latch member 246.
Particularly, pivoting of the second latch member 246 is fixed by the retaining ring 336 (see, e.g.
When assembled as depicted in the figures, the cross-connector is in a clamped position. Particularly, the clamps 232 and 234 are closed around the spinal rods 222a, 222b. Thus, fixing the position of the cross-connector fixes the clamping or puts the clamps in a clamped state.
Referring to
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
Claims
1. A spinal cross connector comprising:
- a first arm;
- a first clamp structure on a first end of the first arm and configured to engage a first spinal rod;
- a second arm; and
- a second clamp structure on a first end of the second arm and configured to engage a second spinal rod;
- the first and second arms connected to one another at second ends of the first and second arms via a pivot coupling configured to allow positioning of the first and second arms relative to one another and to fix positioning thereof, the pivot coupling having a pivot pin extending through overlapping openings in the second ends of the first and second arms, the pivot pin extending along a central axis which is perpendicular to a line extending from the first end of the first arm to the first end of the second arm, wherein position fixation of the first and second arms by the pivot coupling causes the first and second clamp structures to respectively engage the first and second spinal rods.
2. The spinal cross connector of claim 1, wherein:
- the first clamp structure includes a first pivoting clamp member; and
- the pivot coupling includes a fixation arm that interacts with the first pivoting clamp member to provide engagement of the first clamp structure to the first spinal rod upon position fixation of the first and second arms.
3. The spinal cross connector of claim 2, wherein the second clamp structure includes a second pivoting clamp member that interacts with the pivot coupling to provide engagement of the second clamp structure to the second spinal rod upon position fixation of the first and second arms.
4. The spinal cross connector of claim 3, wherein the first arm includes a channel and the fixation arm is disposed in the channel of the first arm.
5. The spinal cross connector of claim 2, wherein the pivot pin is threaded and provides position fixation through engagement with a threaded nut.
6. The spinal cross connector of claim 5, wherein the openings are located in first and second channels of the first and second arms respectively.
7. The spinal cross connector of claim 6, wherein the fixation arm is situated in the first channel.
8. The spinal cross connector of claim 7, wherein the first arm includes a retention member over the first channel that is configured to retain the fixation arm.
9. The spinal cross connector of claim 1, wherein:
- wherein the first clamp structure includes a first pivoting latch member;
- wherein the second clamp structure includes a second pivoting clamp member that interacts with the pivot coupling to provide engagement of the second clamp structure to the second spinal rod;
- further comprising a control arm coupled to the pivot coupling and engaging the first latch member so that the first latch member engages the first spinal rod.
10. A spinal cross connector comprising:
- a first arm;
- a first clamp structure on a first end of the first arm and configured to engage a first spinal rod;
- a second arm; and
- a second clamp structure on a first end of the second arm and configured to engage a second spinal rod;
- the first and second arms connected to one another at second ends of the first and second arms via a pivot coupling configured to allow positioning of the first and second arms relative to one another and to fix positioning thereof, wherein position fixation of the first and second arms by the pivot coupling causes the first and second clamp structures to respectively engage the first and second spinal rods
- the first clamp structure includes a first pivoting clamp member; and
- the pivot coupling includes a pivot pin that extends through overlapping openings in the second ends of the first and second arms, the pivot pin extending along a central axis which is perpendicular to a line extending from the first end of the first arm to the first end of the second arm, and a fixation arm that interacts with the first pivoting clamp member to provide engagement of the first clamp structure to the first spinal rod upon position fixation of the first and second arms;
- wherein the second clamp structure includes a second pivoting clamp member that interacts with the pivot coupling to provide engagement of the second clamp structure to the second spinal rod upon position fixation of the first and second arms;
- wherein the fixation arm is disposed in a first channel of the first arm.
11. A spinal cross connector comprising:
- a first connector having a first end and a second end;
- a first clamp associated with the first connector, the first clamp having a first spinal rod engagement position and a first spinal rod disengagement position;
- a second connector having a first end and a second end; and
- a second clamp associated with the second connector, the second clamp having a second spinal rod engagement position and a second spinal rod disengagement position;
- the first and second connectors coupled via a pivot structure and configured to allow positioning of the first and second connectors relative to one another and to fix positioning thereof, the pivot structure having a threaded pivot pin extending through vertically aligned openings in the second ends of the first and second connectors, the pivot pin extending along a central axis which is perpendicular to a line extending from the first end of the first connector to the first end of the second connector, wherein position fixation of the first and second connectors by the pivot structure moves the first clamp from the first spinal rod disengagement position to the first spinal rod engagement position and the second clamp from the second spinal rod disengagement position to the second spinal rod engagement position.
12. The spinal cross connector of claim 1, wherein the first clamp includes a first pivoting clamp member; and
- further comprising a fixation arm that interacts with the first clamp to move the first clamp into the first spinal rod engagement position.
13. The spinal cross connector of claim 12, wherein the second clamp includes a second pivoting clamp member that interacts with the pivot structure to move the second clamp into the second spinal rod engagement position.
14. The spinal cross connector of claim 13, wherein the pivot structure further includes a grommet that interacts with the second pivoting clamp member to move the second clamp into the second spinal rod engagement position.
15. The spinal cross connector of claim 14, wherein the fixation arm is disposed in a first channel of the first connector.
16. The spinal cross connector of claim 12, wherein the threaded pivot pin provides position fixation through engagement with a coupling connector.
17. The spinal cross connector of claim 16, wherein the openings are located in first and second channels of the first and second connectors respectively.
18. The spinal cross connector of claim 17, wherein the fixation arm is situated in the first channel.
19. The spinal cross connector of claim 18, wherein the first connector includes a retention member over the first channel that is configured to retain the fixation arm.
20. A spinal cross connector comprising:
- a first arm having a first clamp structure on a first end thereof that is configured to engage a first spinal rod; and
- a second arm having a second clamp structure on a first end thereof that is configured to engage a second spinal rod;
- the first and second arms coupled to one another at second ends of the first and second arms via a coupling structure configured to allow linear and pivoting movement of the first and second arms relative to one another and to fix the positioning thereof, the pivot coupling having a threaded pivot pin extending through overlapping openings in the second ends of the first and second arms, wherein position fixation of the first and second arms by the coupling structure causes the first and second clamp structures to respectively engage the first and second spinal rods.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 4, 2007
Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
Patent Publication Number: 20080086134
Assignee: Life Spine, Inc. (Hoffman Estates, IL)
Inventors: Michael S. Butler (St. Charles, IL), Michael J. Milella, Jr. (Schaumburg, IL), Kara A. Bucci (Palos Park, IL)
Primary Examiner: Pedro Philogene
Assistant Examiner: Lynnsy Schneider
Application Number: 11/906,804
International Classification: A61B 17/70 (20060101);